If you follow me here, read my posts and comments, you'll notice that I use a lot of sayings and proverbs. I really like how metaphors can sum a lot of wisdom, so I kind of collect them all the time. There are some really famous ones, like: Don't judge a book from it's cover or some funny ones like All is not butter that comes from a cow.
Here in Brazil there are the popular sayings, ancient and deep knowledge from the common life. I've always been fascinated by this, because if a saying becomes popular, it has to mean something right? So I decided to share some of my favorite with you. I'll translate them as best as I can, I'm pretty sure some of them will sound really funny. I'm also going to add some explanation after the saying, just in case the metaphor is too much.
1- The shrimp that sleeps, the wave takes away
Camarão que dorme a onda leva
The ideia of this saying is that if you don't pay attention to what's going on around you, maybe you'll loose a good opportunity, or maybe someone will make a fool out of you
2- Soft water, hard rock, it smashes so much that in can pierce
Água mole, pedra dura, tanto bate até que fura
Here is talking about persistence and perseverance. Little by little, you can achieve your goal.
3- Each monkey on its own branch
Cada macaco no seu galho
Take care of your own life and don't meddle in other people business. Can also be used to say that everyone is responsible for their own problems.
4- You don't change a winning team
Em time ganhando não se mexe
If things are working just fine, why would you change it? Also can mean that you should leave things flow its natural course
5- I put my hand over the fire
Eu boto minha mão no fogo
When you a very sure about something. This is like a plea of truth about something or someone.
6- Dirty clothes you wash at home
Roupa suje se lava em casa
If you have problem with someone in your family or work, you should deal it with them in private, not in front of others.
7- Not every thing that shines is gold
Nem tudo que reluz é ouro
Be careful with appearances. Sometimes you can be fooled by someone charms, just to find out later that you were wrong about that person
8- Take cat by bunny
Levar gato por lebre
This is mostly used when you buy something and it turns out to be a lot worst than you thought. Like you are going to buy a Nike and when you see it is a Nuke.
9- A dog that bark doesn't bite
Cão que ladra não morde
To explain this, I'll use another saying: Talk the talk but don't walk the walk. Some people are all words and no action. Or even they seem very skilled to do something, but when the time comes for them to act, they bail on it.
10- Only the hunchback knows how he sleeps
Só o corcunda sabe como dorme.
This is by far my favorite, specially because it took me a long time to understand it. It goes to say that only your know how hard are you problems, and only you have to deal with them. There are somethings that no one can help you, and you alone know how to live with them. so only the hunchback knows how he sleeps
So, what did you think? Do you know any good sayings that are really popular in your culture? Or some different saying that has the same meaning of the ones I posted here? Leave tem in the comments, help me enhance my collection!!!
Thanks for reading until here! Until next time...
Keep posting and keep shining!